SEJC Special Collections Applications for 2023

 BUF Congregants: Please Invite Organization to Apply for Next Year’s Justice Collections

You all have a role to play in helping the Collections Team meet its anti-racist, beloved community covenant.  We ask BUF congregants to help further undo racism and accept racial diversity and inclusiveness in our collections process.

We seek inclusion of community groups which are marginalized and to which we are accountable, representing diverse ethnic, racial, national origin, and BIPOC (Black Indigenous people of color) backgrounds.   We hope all shall identify and invite non-traditional—sometimes hidden—diverse groups in the community to apply for funding of their projects and programs.  The Team accomplished some of this through existing mainstream justice organizations such as DVSAS’ (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services) example of translating printed community resources into Spanish.

In the current cycle of funding, the Collections Team initiated a new process which resulted in three new grassroots organizations: Raid Relief families, indigenous environmentalists, and a homeless housing village.  

The Collections Team is looking to you, BUF congregants, to join our journey towards an equitable/inclusive institution.   We urge you to seek and invite any marginalized not-for-profit organization in Whatcom County to connect and apply for a collection next year.  The application link is: https://wp.buf.org/justice/social-environmental-justice-committee/sejc-collection-guidelines-and-application/

For feedback/questions please contact Kara Black, Team Coordinator at:  kara@cedartreellc.com.

 

Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut Update and World Water Day Blessings

BUF has supported Lummi Nation over the years in their efforts to secure the return of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut/Tokitae/Lolita, who was forcibly taken from our waters in the 1970s.  We’ve hosted two Totem Pole Journeys with her at the focus and have supported other efforts and events to protect the Salish Sea and the Southern Resident Orcas.  The USDA has recently told the Miami Seaquarim (MSQ) that they will no longer be allowed to publicly display her, use her to perform and the stadium where she now resides will no longer be open to the public.  Should MSQ decide they want to continue her public appearances, they will be required to apply for a new license.  This past summer the USDA conducted an investigation of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s health, treatment, and facility and found many problems, hence, the shutdown.  

Here's a background video:  https://vimeo.com/266726774

Here are updates over the past few weeks:  

• TokiTV Episode 1:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/650675879476173
• TokiTV Episode 2:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/652208605898662
• TokiTV Episode 3:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/1034844380461638

On March 20^th, in honor of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut and UN World Water Day, we are calling on everyone to offer a Blessing for the waters which are so vital to our survival and to our relatives of the water and elsewhere.  Take a few minutes out of your day either on the 20th and offer up a prayer with us for the Qwe 'lhol mechen (Relatives under the Water-Orcas), Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, Chief Tsi'li'xw Bill James - who tasked us to bring her home and protect the Salish Sea and for the Gift of Water that has been given us.  We will be livestreaming Blessings starting at 12:00 pm on YouTube and Facebook.  Watch the Orca Network Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529407417240057)

Multifaith Network for Climate Justice March 28th event